Erika Harder Jewellery

Apr 26, 2017

Here at Pookipoiga we are so lucky to stock some absolutely amazing products, and we are delighted to introduce our new jeweller, Erika Harder. Her story began two years ago, when her best friend told her that she had been signed up to her Christmas Fete at work. Erika was working full time as a secondary school teacher, was a milliner by trade and had planned to start her own business making wedding dresses. When asked what she was to make for the market her friend looked at her and simply said, "I don't know, you make beautiful things. You'll work it out."

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Challenged and pressed for time, Erika visited her local gift shop in Hawthorn to get ideas. After noticing a lack of bangles in the store, Erika decided that she would create some bangles that would fit all shapes and sizes. After months of agonising research and development with many broken items, Erika worked it out and had an amazing reception at the Christmas fete. Christmas sales were amazing, so they decided to keep going. That next year they added rings, earrings and necklaces.￼

In 2016 Erika was able to negotiate part-time work with her school and proceeded to grow the business and take the time to attend more markets, to better understand their customers. This year Erika decided to take on this busi­ness full time with the aim of expanding this wonderful range of jewellery, the markets they attend and the stores that stock her jewellery. Erika designs and produces two collections each year, Spring and Summer with 12 colours, and her Autumn and Winter range.￼

Erika's Jewellery is made from polymer clay, which is a type of hardenable modeling clay based on the polymer polyvinyl chloride (PVC). When opened and kneaded it achieves gel-like working properties, and similarly, just like clay, it is put into an oven to harden. When hardened it is incredibly sturdy and water resistant (though we recommend not swimming with it!). The colours are endless and span from beautiful naturals to out-there psychedelics. Erika has jewellery to fit any colour code, and occasion, making it a must have for all seasons. Additionally, she has zero waste as every skerrick of the clay is used, the leftovers making the earring backs, or the balls on the necklaces. The stunning gift boxes are printed with soy ink making it a very environmentally sustainable gift for someone special (such as yourself 😊)